Why has this pigeon been bought for $1.4 million?

Armando has been described as the 'Lewis Hamilton' of racing pigeons

A champion racing pigeon has been sold for a record $1.42m - beating the previous most valued pigeon by nearly $1 million.
The auction house Pipa called Armando the "best Belgian long-distance pigeon of all time".
So, why is Armando so valuable? Ian Evans - boss of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association in the UK - told Newsday's Alan Kasujja.
(Photo: Armando the racing pigeon. Credit: PA)